How to Propagate Succulents
One of the great things about growing succulents in your home is how easy they are to propagate. Many succulent owners even find that a dropped leaf can start to grow roots on its own. Propagating succulents is a fun and satisfying way to grow your houseplant collection, or to share plants with your friends.
Leaf Propagation
Succulents are unusual because many varieties can be propagated from a single leaf. These plants include a node at the base of each leaf. In general, succulents with thick leaves can be propagated from a leaf. This method is successful with succulent species including sedum, kalanchoes, echeveria, sempervivum, and jade plants.
Leaf propagation is very simple. You can use a leaf that has fallen or been knocked off the plant naturally (as long as it is healthy), or you can remove some leaves to use for propagation. Wait for the end of the leaf to dry out, as this helps avoid the leaf rotting from too much moisture. Place the leaf on a shallow tray of soil and keep the soil moist but not wet. Put the propagation tray in a location where it gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Roots will begin to emerge in two to three weeks.
You can also propagate leaf cuttings in water. For this you’ll need a container with a mouth just wide enough to hold the node in the water while the rest of the leaf is above the water line. Keep it in bright, indirect sun and change the water every few days. A leaf propagated in water will develop roots at the node, and can be moved to soil once they are a few inches long.
Propagating with Stem Cuttings
For succulents that cannot be propagated from a leaf, use stem cuttings instead. In this type of succulent, the nodes are located on the stem instead of on the leaf. Some succulents in this category include aeoniums, agaves, and haworthias.
To take a stem cutting you will need to be sure you’re including several nodes. Nodes are the part of the plant that can generate new growth, so they are necessary for propagation. There is a node at every part of the plant where a leaf is attached, so if your cutting has at least four or five leaves, it should be fine.
Cut through the stem with sterilized shears or a knife, and remove the lower leaves from the stem. Let it dry, then root the cutting in water or plant it directly in soil. There is no special care needed for newly rooted succulents; you can treat them the same as your established plants.